MINUTES before England’s ICC Women’s World Cup final against New Zealand, Earl Shilton cricket star Nicky Shaw wasn’t even playing.

Fast-forward to the end and the 27-year-old was the hero of the hour, taking the player-of-the-match award for career-best figures of 4-34 and hitting 17 not out - including three boundaries - with the bat.

Fast bowler Shaw was only included in the line-up moments before the start after her friend Jenny Gunn was ruled out with a calf injury.

And the former Earl Shilton Town CC player seized her chance with aplomb. New Zealand were dispatched for 166 and England posted 167-6 in reply.

Shaw was struggling to control her emotions after the game.

She said: “I kept it in when they announced the team - I got my thoughts together and carried on with the warm-up. Then I got the nod from [head coach Mark Lane] and the tears rolled down my face. I was going through a mix of emotions. It was right before the toss - we had people running across the field trying to change the team sheet. At that point I was pretty much crying.

“I had gone through a lot of emotion thinking I wasn’t going to play. The one thing I hadn’t dealt with was how I’d feel if I did play.

“It was really big of Jen to [say she was unfit]. It must have been the hardest thing she has had to do. I could not ask for anything better, but everyone contributed.”

Shaw is part of something of a cricketing dynasty at Earl Shilton - her dad Pete and brothers Kevin and Darren have all played for the club. And she will quickly get a chance to show off her winners’ medal to the people who helped launch her career when she appears at Town’s junior sports day this Saturday March 28.

Club secretary Justin Robins said: “Nicky started her cricket with Earl Shilton Town and everyone at the club is absolutely thrilled to bits for her. It’s an incredible achievement.

“She wasn’t just there - she played a major part in winning the game and got player-of-the-match as well. What more can you ask for?

“I think she went through quite a few emotions on the day. She thought she wasn’t going to be involved, then the girl who has pulled out through injury is one of her best friends.

“She has just gone for it. She bowled very well, and at the end she dug in and scored some runs when they were losing a few wickets. It will be great to see her on Saturday.”

The sports day will start at 11am and run until 3.30pm and is for boys and girls between nine and 14-years-old

Nicky will be on hand to deliver cricket coaching and activities and will be supported by Leicestershire CCC’s Carl Crowe. All youngsters will receive a signed photograph from Nicky and a certificate for participating. Lunch will also be provided. In addition, professional football coaches will offer coaching and games.